During their recent virtual summit, the presidents of China and Russia China had plenty of reason to discuss what to do about their respective external threats. China’s Foreign Ministry said it would rev up coordination between the two in search of a strategic counterbalance.

Spurred by their concern over Afghanistan-related developments as well as their alienation from the United States, China and Russia have intensified their joint military activities.

Relations will not move toward a military alliance because, at the core, is a shared understanding forged through many strategic interactions. The two countries share similar basic judgments about international relations and U.S. influence.

As China-Russia cooperation has strengthened Chinese military might, divergences on some strategic issues between China and powerful countries have continued to widen. The latter’s perceptions of China have been seriously twisted.

Russia has repeatedly rebuffed efforts by the U.S. secretary of state to enlist Russia in a scheme to constrain China. This futile exercise that only reveals Pompeo’s political greed and leads him to ignore reality.

China and Russia have continued to strengthen their defense ties, while their foreign policy alignment remains constrained.

The opening of the ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline represents another development in the Sino-Russian relationship. The pragmatic strategic partnership in Eurasia will only continue to obstruct US foreign policy throughout the continent.

It’s a cooperative list that’s growing steadily longer, based on mutual interests. As the United States attempts to apply pressure, it only pushes them closer together.

Energy, agriculture and education all have great potential to draw the neighbors closer. But don’t expect them to become conventional allies.

A joint early-warning system throws a curveball at the United States and the global military order.